Intercession of the Virgin (Pokrov) celebrated on the 1st October shows the Virgin surrounded by the Apostles spreading her veil over the heads of the congregation as a pledge of her protection to the city of Constantinople and by extension to the whole Christian Church.Below St. Andrew the Fool in Christ points to the Virgin above, whilst Roman the Melodist sings the praises to the Virgin. Russian icon, 19th century, painted on an older panel, (31 x 25 cm)